Closet bowl floor connector



1961 w. LE ROY GADDY 3,012,252

CLOSET BOWL FLOOR CONNECTOR Filed Oct. 11, 1960 INVENTOR l/wm 1. W

BY I

- ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,012,252 CLOSET BOWL FLOOR CONNECTOR William Le Roy Gaddy, Kannapolis, NC, assignor of one-half to Thomas W. Kern, Salisbury, N.C., and of one-half to John C. Howard, Cabarrus County, N.C.

Filed Oct. 11, 1960, Ser. No. 62,032 3 Claims. (Cl. 4-252) The present invention relates in general to water closet drain connections, and more particularly to floor level couplings for water closets which will provide a permanent gas and moisture-tight seal between the tubular horn or outlet of a ceramic water closet bowl and the upper end of an upstanding soil pipe.

It is essential that the connection between the tubular outlet horn of a water closet bowl and the end of the soil pipe be both gas and water tight. It is also desirable that these connections be of such nature that they will be adaptable to provide effective seals with some variation in the internal diameter of soil pipes and will facilitate sensing of precise alignment of the outlet horn with the soil pipe. Further it is desirable that such connections be of such a nature that they will withstand large back pressures which may be encountered from flushing or from the use of force pumps when stoppage occurs in the soil pipe.

Heretofore, the conventional practice has been to apply a brass or iron flange to the end of the soil pipe joined by a lead and oakum seal to the outer surface of the soil pipe. The floor flange has suitable slots for receiving anchoring bolts to project through the base flange of the closet bowl and permit rigid attachment of the closet bowl to the floor flange projecting from the soil pipe. A wax ring or gasket is then applied between the floor flange and the base flange of the closet bowl in surrounding relation to the outlet horn of the closet bowl. When the anchoring bolts are then tightened, the wax ring is flattened out between the floor flange fixed to the soil pipe and the base flange of the closet bowl to provide a seal.

It has long been recognized that this conventional coupling arrangement does not provide a completely satisfactory seal. The wax ring has no ability to return to its original shape when once distorted, and consequently if there shouldbe a slight shifting of the closet bowl in the course of the installation process, or if the closet bowl should be imperfectly mounted so that slight rocking will occur and this condition is subsequently corrected by putting shims under the base flange of the closet bowl, such shifting of the bowl distorts the wax ring and leaves an opening for the escape of moisture and sewer gases.

It has become even more diflicult to obtain an effective seal with the use of such base flanges and wax gaskets in recent years. Formerly, the outlet horns on the closet bowls projected about five-eighths of an inch below the lower edge of the base flange and therefore would extend a substantial distance into the soil pipe. With the longer outlet horn, the installer could readily sense when the outlet horn was properly located within the soil pipe and the wax seal which flowed between the coaxial, concentric surfaces of the outlet horn and soil pipe provided a seal of substantial depth. However, manufacturers several years ago started making the outlet horns shorter so that they would terminate flush with the lower edge of the base flange of the closet bowl to facilitate the movement of the bowls on conveyor belts during the manufacturing process. It has therefore become extremely ditficult for the installer to sense when the outlet horn is axially aligned with the soil pipe because of the fact that the shortened outlet horn either terminates short of the soil pipe or extends only a very short distance into factured closet bowls is not perfectlyaligncd with the soil pipe, obviously only a very tenuous and imperfect wax seal can be achieved on installation Even when the outlet horn vis perfectly aligned axially with the soil pipe, a very weak wax seal is provided because of;the very small extent of overlap extending betweenthe soil pipe and outlet horn. Even if the plumber attains a good seal on the initial installation, once thereis stoppage in the soil pipe and a. force pump or other pressure is applied to move the stoppage, the flimsy wax seal in most cases is broken. 7

An object of the present invention, therefore, is the provision of a novel floor level coupling between the tubular outlet horn of a ceramic water closet bowl andthe upper end of a soil pipe, which facilitates the achievement of a tight ermanent seal which will effectively resist separation or leakage even after long periods of use.

Another object of the present invention is the pro vision of a novel floor level coupling between the tubular outlet horn of a ceramic water closet bowl and the upper end of a soil pipe, wherein resilient seals are achieved between the coupling member and the inner surface of the soil pipe and between the coupling member and the outlet horn which will be sufficiently flexible to permit some variation in the spacing between the soil pipe and the outlet horn and in the dimensions and alignment of these elements. 7

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel floor level coupling between the tubular outlet horn of a ceramic water closet bowl and the upper end of a soil pipe, wherein a coupling member is provided having annular portions to extend in surrounding relation to the outlet horn and to project into the soil pipe and be sealed thereto, thereby eliminating the use of lead and oakum joints or wax seals and effecting substantial savings in labor and time in connection with closet bowl installations.

Other objects, advantages, and capabilities of the present invention will become apparent from the following detail description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing illustrating one preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical transverse section view taken through the floor of a building and an associated inlet of a soil pipe and showing a closet bowl coupling constructed in accordance with the present invention interposed between the soil pipe and the outlet horn of a closet bowl;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the closet bowl floor connector construction in accordance with the present invention; and

FIGURE 3 is a bottom view thereof.

Referring to the drawing, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures, there is illustrated in FIGURE 1 the inlet end of a soil pipe, indicated by the reference character 10,

. which terminates adjacent the flooring 11 of a building,

formed for example of wood, tile or other suitable building' material. The inlet end of the soil pipe 10 lies within a suitable circular opening 12 provided in the flooring substantially flush with the level thereof, and in accordance with conventional practice, is arranged on a generally vertical axis. The ceramic water closet bowl, indicated by the reference character 13, is of typical construction having an outwardly extending base flange 14 provided with an outer marginal depending rim 15 surrounding a central recess 16 in the bottom surface of the closet bowl. Centrally disposed between the lateral portions of the rim 15 is the usual annular outlet horn 17 which surrounds the discharge duct 18 of the closet bowl.

. V qu 3 V The outlet horn 17 extends downwardly into the recess 16 and in accordance withfcurrent manufacturing practice terminates flush with the lower edge of the rim 15.

' jection of the horn into the soil pipe is so slightas to defeat accurate registration.

The closet bowl floor connector of the present invention, designated by the reference character 20, is formed of a unitary casting comprising an elongated tubular core 21 having a bell section 22 at the upper end thereof forming an upwardly opening well 23 for receiving the horn 17 therein and a spiggot section 24 depending therefrom to extend concentrically into the inlet end of the soil pipe 10. The bell section 22 includes an annular side wall 25 concentric with the axis of the bell and spiggot sections and an annular upwardly facing base or shoulder 26 forming a radial transition which connects I the annular side wall 25 with the top of the spiggot section 24. V

The side wall 25 and annular shoulder 26 of the bell section 22 form a seat for an annular sealing gasket 27 formed of any suitable resilient material which rests against the inner surface of the side wall 25 and the upwardly facing surface of the annular shoulder 26. An annular floor mounting flange 28 projects radially outwardly from the upper part of the side wall 25 of the bell section 22, with the top surface of the mounting flange 28 flush with the upper end of the bell section 22. The floor mounting flange 28 is provided with the usual circumferential and radial slots 30, 31 for receiving mounting bolts '32 which extendupwardly through the apertures 33 in the base flange 14 and countersunk openings 34 for receiving screws to fix the mounting flange 28 to the floor or subflooring. When the nuts 32a threaded onto the mounting bolts 32 above the bowl base flange 14 are turned down to draw the closet bowl and mounting flange 28 toward each other, the gasket 27 will be compressed between the lower edge of the outlet horn 17 and the surfaces of the well 23 defined by the bell section 22 to provide a tight seal between these elements.

The spiggot section 24, which is integral with the bell section 22, projects downwardlyfrom the inner end of the annular shoulder 26 to extend a substantial distance .nector of the present invention, the expansion sealing sleeve 36 is threaded onto the tapered threads 35 on the lower end of the spiggot section 24, the mounting bolts 32 are seated in the slots 30 therefor in the floor mounting flange 28. and the spiggot section 24 with the expansion sealing sleeve 35 thereon is lowered into the. inlet end of the soil pipe '10. The disposition of the threads 35 and 37 and the dimensions of the spiggot section 24 and the expansion sealing sleeve v36are such'that when the sleeve is only partiallythreaded onto the spiggot section, its outer periphery 39 just corresponds to the inner diameter of the soil pipe so that these elements can be forced into the bore of the soil pipe with the outer periphery 39 of the sleeve 36 in engagemen'tTwith the inner surface of the soil pipe '10. When the floor connector is lowered to a level where the floor mounting into the inlet end portion of the soil pipe 10 and terminates in tapered threads 35 at the lower end'of the spiggot section 24 on which is threaded an annular expansion sealing sleeve 36 formed of any suitable resilient material. The expansion sealing sleeve 36 is of substantial thickness and axial extent and is provided with tapered threads 37 on the inner surface of the bore 38 thereof to be threadedly coupled with the threads 35 on the spiggot section 24.

In one practical exemplary embodiment of the closet bowl floor connector, the elongated tubular core 21 has an axial dimension or height of 3 53 inches, the floor mounting flange 28 has an outer diameter of 7% inches and a thickness of inch, the bell section 22 has an outer diameter of 4% inches and an inner diameter of 3% inehes,-the well 23 therein has a depth of inch, and

the spiggot section 24 has an outer diameter of 3% inches. and'an inner diameter of 2% inches. In this embodiment, the angular sealing gasket 27 is inch thick'and has an outer diameter of 3% inches and an inner diameter of 2% inches, and the expansion sealing sleeve 36 has an axial depth of 1 inch, an outer diameter of 3 inches, and the bore 38 thereof has an inner diameter of 3 inches at its widest end and 2% inches at its narrowest end, the bore 38 being threaded to provide 8 threads per inch having an 8 taper.

' To install the water closet bowl with the floor con flange 28 thereof is close to a condition of engagement with the floor-or subfloor, the floor connector is then rotated about its axis in a direction to advance the threads 38 of the spiggot section 24'downwardly into the bore of the expansion sealing sleeve 36 while the sealing sleeve is held against rotation by frictional engagement of its outer periphery 39 with the wall of the soil pipe 10. This effects a radial outward projection or stretching of the expansion sealing sleeve 36 to force the same into very tight sealing engagement with the wall of the soil pipe 10. The floor'connector 20 may then be securely fixed in position by inserting screws through the countersunk openings 34 in the floor mounting flange 28 and driving them into the flooring or subfiooring 11.

The sealing gasket 27 is then seated in the well 23 provided in the bell section 22,"andthe closet bowl 13 is lowered into position over the floor connector 20 with the tubular outlet horn 17 with the well 23 can be readily effected, since the flange 28 and annular side wall 25 surrounding the well 23 extend into the central recess 16 in the bottom of the closet bowl base flange 14 and the upper edges of the side wall 25' may be caused to abut the outlet horn 17 upon horizontal movement of the closet bowl to sense the relative positions of the parts. During 'dle lowering of the closet bowl over the installed floor connector, the apertures 33 in the closet base bowl flange 14 are registered with the upwardly projecting threaded shanks of the mounting bolts 32 so that the mounting bolts pass therethrough. The nuts 32a are then tightly threaded onto the shanks of the mounting bolts 32, thereby forcing the closet bowl 13 and the outlet horn 17 integral therewith downwardly toward the'floor c011- nector 20, the dimensions of the components being such that the gasket 27 is compressedbetween the bottom annular surface of the outlet horn -17 and the annular base or upwardly facing shoulder 26 at the bottom of the well 23, forming a secure water-tight and gas-tight seal at this point.

It will be appreciated that the floor connector of the present invention provides a far more eflective and reliable seal than that obtained by the conventional wax sealing rings currently used. Further'and-of great imfl portance'is the fact that this floor connector provides a simple and reliable means for securing the connector to a soil pipe whose outer surface is normally inaccessible by extension of a portion of the connector into the interior of the soil pipe; and rotation of the'same about its axis, and whereby an effective seal is provided between these elements. This is a far simpler and less time consuming arrangement than that customarily relied upon heretofore of joining an annular floor mounting flange to the outer surface ofthe soil pipe by means of a lead and oakum joint. Thus, by the present construction, there is no necessity of especially preparing or working the inlet end of the soil pipe so as to render the outer surface thereof accessible for providing a lead and oakurn joint between suchouter surface and a floor mounting flange. g j

.While but one preferred example of the present invention has been particularly shown and described, it is apparent that various modifications may be made therein within the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations be placed on the invention as are imposed by the prior art and set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A closet bowl floor connector for providing a watertight and gas-tight seal between a tubular outlet horn depending from a closet bowl and the inlet end portion of a soil pipe comprising an elongated tubular core having an enlarged bell section at the upper end thereof and a constricted spiggot section of generally cylindrical configuration joining said bell section and extending to the lower end of said core to project in concentric relation into the inlet end of said soil pipe, an annular mounting flange projecting radially outwardly from said bell section having spaced openings therein for receiving mounting bolts to adjustably secure the mounting flange to the closet bowl, said bell section, spiggot section and mounting flange being integrally joined to each other, said bell section having an upwardly opening well therein for receiving said outlet horn bounded by an upwardly facing annular surface at the base of said Well to be disposed below and in registry with said outlet horn, a resiliently deformable annular gasket disposed in said well to be compressed between the bottom of said horn and said annular surface upon adjustment of said mounting bolts, said spiggot section having a tapered externally threaded portion at the lower end thereof, and an annular resiliently deformable expansion sleeve having a tapered threaded bore threaded onto said threaded section of said spiggot section to be expanded radially outwardly of said spiggot section upon rotation of the latter into sealing engagement with the internal surface of the soil pipe.

2. A floor level coupling for closet bowl installations including a soil pipe having an inlet end portion terminating substantially at floor level in a building and a closet bowl including an integral base flange having a recess in the underside thereof and a tubular outlet horn projecting downwardly into said recess, said floor level coupling comprising an integral casting in the form of an elongated tubular core having an enlarged bell section to the base flange of said closet bowl, a resilient annular gasket disposed within said well to be compressed between the bottom of said horn and said annular base surface of said well upon adjustment of the mounting bolts to draw said mounting flange and the closet bowl base flange toward each other, said spiggot section having tapered external threads at the lower end thereof, and an annular, resiliently deformable, expansion sealing sleeve having a tapered threaded bore threaded onto the tapered threads of said spiggot section and a cylindrical outer periphery for engaging the inner surface of the soil pipe, said tapered threads on said spiggot section and the threaded tapered bore of said expansion sealing sleeve coacting upon rotation of said coupling about the axis of said spiggot section to radially expand said expansion sleeve outwardly of said spiggot section into intimate sealing engagement with the inner surface of the soil pipe. 3. A closet bowl floor connector for providing a water-tight and gas-tight seal between a tubular outlet horn depending from a closet bowl and the inlet end portion of a soil pipe comprising an elongated tubular conduit member having an upper larger diameter cylindrical section and a lower smaller diameter cylindrical section joined to said upper section by an annular transition Wall lying in a plane perpendicular to the axes of said cylindrical sections, an annular mounting flange integral with said upper larger diameter cylindrical section projecting radially outwardly therefrom having spaced openings therein for receiving mounting bolts to project through portions of the closet bowl and adjustably secure the floor connector thereto, said lower smaller diameter cylindrical section having a bore extending therethrough and said larger diameter cylindrical section having a bore of greater diameter than the bore of said lower section communicating with the latter and opening upwardly to form a Well for receiving said outlet horn, a resiliently deformable annular gasket disposed within the bore of said upper larger diameter section in engagement with said annular transition wall to be compressed between the latter and the bottom of said outlet References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS McAuliffe Mar. 25, 1902 Divekey Apr. 15, 1924 

